The Osprey Aether 65 is the perfect choice when you need to carry a heavy load comfortably. Its ample pocket space ensures efficient organization, while the included rain cover provides peace of mind, keeping your backpack’s contents dry and protected from the elements.
- Comfortable to carry
- Plenty of storage options
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Heavy
- Water pockets are not easy to use
Thought has been put into creating a backpack for hikers with a lot to carry. Its customizable fit and expertly engineered frame ensure efficient weight distribution, keeping the load snug against your body. Thick padding on the shoulder straps, hip belt, and back enhances comfort during extended hikes. With seven pockets and various straps and loops, this backpack offers ample storage solutions.
Compare to Similar Products:
Product | Osprey Atmos AG 65 | Osprey Kestrel 48 | Osprey Aether Plus 70 | Gregory Paragon 58 | Gregory Baltoro 65 | Big Agnes Parkview 63 | Osprey Aether 65 | Granite Gear Blaze 60 Women | The North Face Women's Terra 55 | Dueter Air Contact Core 60+10 |
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Buying Options | ||||||||||
Our Award | Best for Men | Best Lighter Backpack for Men | Best Large Capacity Backpack for Men | Best for Women | Best Lighter Backpack for Women | Best Large Capacity Backpack for Women | ||||
Size | S/M - L/XL | S/M - L/XL | S/M - L/XL | S/M - M/L | S - M - L | M - L | S/M - L/XL | WS - UL | XS/S - M/L | W - Regular |
Weight | 2 - 2.2 kg | 1.9 - 2.1 kg | 2.5 - 2.8 kg | 1.5 - 1.6 kg | 2.1 - 2.4 kg | 1.6 - 1.8 kg | 2.2 - 2.3 kg | 1.3 - 1.4 kg | 1.6 - 1.7 kg | 2.1 - 2.3 kg |
Capacity | 65 - 68 liters | 46 - 48 litres | 68 - 70 liters | 58 litres | 65 litres | 63 + 10 liters | 65 - 68 liters | 60 liters | 55 litres | 60 + 10 liters |
Load | 13.6 – 18 kg | 9.1 – 15.9 kg | 14 – 27 kg | 22.7 kg | 22.7 kg | 22.7 kg | 14 - 27 kg | 22.7 kg | N/A | 15 - 20 kg |
Pockets | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
Torso Lengths | 43 - 58.9 | 40.5 - 58.5 cm | 43 - 58.5 cm | 38 - 60 cm | 40.6 - 55.9 cm | 46 - 56 cm | 43 - 58.5 cm | 38.1 - 60.9 cm | 35.5 - 47.7 cm | 35 - 62 cm |
Rain Cover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Editor’s note: This article is part of our buyers guide to waterproof hiking backpacks. See other articles in this series:
- Best Waterproof Hiking Backpacks
- How to Choose The Right Waterproof Backpack For Your Hike
- How We Tested Waterproof Hiking Backpacks
- Compare Waterproof Hiking Backpacks
- Water Resistant vs Waterproof vs Water Repellent – What is the Difference
Looking for other waterproof gear? Check out our buyers guides on:
Analysis and Test Results
Comfort is paramount when embarking on a multi-day journey with a substantial load, and the Osprey Aether 65 excels in this regard. Its adjustable and generously padded shoulder straps, coupled with a padded lumbar pad and a die-cut foam back panel, offer exceptional comfort. The hip belt is easily adjustable and generously cushioned, aiding in load distribution. The intelligently designed frame effectively transfers the load between the shoulder straps and the hip belt.
Accessing the main compartment is simple, and you get six additional pockets of varying sizes and numerous attachment straps for extra gear. Composed of durable nylon, this backpack is built to withstand rugged terrain. A rain cover is provided for protection during bad weather. Whether you are on an extended backcountry trek or like to indulge in a few luxuries on your hiking adventures, this backpack ensures you can comfortably carry your load.
Performance Comparison
Material
This backpack is mainly composed of 420HD nylon packcloth, with accents in 210 denier nylon diamond. The frame is 3.5mm LightWire aluminum alloy. The back panel is Airscape injection-molded foam.
Breathability
The back panel has channels cut into the foam and is covered in mesh. This allows air to flow through and increases breathability.
Waterproofing
Nylon packcloth is excellent at repelling water, and this has a PFC-free DWR (durable water repellant) coating. If you are caught in a downpour, there is a rain cover in the outside zipped pocket of the lid.
Dimensions
This backpack is available in two sizes – small/medium and large/extra-large. This rucksack is for men, with the woman’s version called Ariel. They are also available in an Extended Fit model with longer hip belts.
Sizes | Capacity | Weight | Load | Measurements |
Small/Medium | 65 liters
3967 cubic inches | 2.23 kg
4.9 lbs
| 14 - 27 kg
30 - 60 lbs | 80 x 40 x 28 cm
31.5 x 15.7 x 11 inches
|
Large/Extra Large | 68 liters
4,150 cubic inches
| 2.3 kg
4.95 lbs
| 14 - 27 kg
30 - 60 lbs
| 85 x 40 x 28 cm
33.5 x 15.7 x 11 inches |
Fit
Getting the right fit is a straightforward process. The shoulder harness can be easily adjusted to the right torso length by moving it up or down and securing it with the lower straps. The shoulder straps feature Osprey’s Custom Fit-on-the-Fly system. To adjust them, simply open the Velcro, slide the padding along the strap to your desired position, and then secure it in place with the Velcro closure.
Similarly, the hip belt boasts the Custom Fit-on-the-Fly system, with padding that can be adjusted using Velcro. To fine-tune the fit, both the shoulder straps and the hip belt can be lengthened or shortened on both sides by adjusting the straps. The load lifters and sternum strap are also adjustable, ensuring a personalized and comfortable fit for every adventure.
Torso Length | |
Small/Medium | 43 - 53 cm
17 – 21 inches
|
Large/Extra Large | 48 - 58.5 cm
19 - 23 inches
|
Storage
One standout feature of this backpack is its many storage options and numerous pockets. The main compartment has a full-length curved zipper, giving easy access to any part of the pack. The main pocket includes a section at the bottom, which can be either closed off with a zippered dividing panel or left open.
The front of the backpack has a generously sized, reinforced fabric shove-it pocket for quick-access items. You’ll find dual-access, stretch mesh water bottle pockets on each side. The hip belt features two zippered pockets for essential items. At the bottom of the pack, you can find a set of straps that can be used to secure extra gear externally, such as a sleeping pad.
Comfort
The backpack’s design is excellent at keeping the load close to your body, ensuring an even distribution of weight between your shoulders and hips. Thanks to its user-friendly adjustability, the backpack can be easily tailored to fit your body shape. There is ample padding on the shoulder straps, hip belt, and back panel to make carrying heavy loads comfortable. There is a substantial lumbar pad to add to the comfort of carrying this backpack.
Features
The backpack has two trekking poles and ice axe attachment loops with bungee tie-offs to secure them. Inside the pack is a pocket for a water bladder capable of accommodating a three-liter water bladder. Please note that a water bladder is not included with the pack.
Across the pack’s front are dual panel compression straps with StraightJacket compression. On the sides, several compression straps help with load stability and can also be used to attach equipment.
Durability
The durability of Osprey’s backpacks has always been impressive, and the Aether 65 is no exception. It is well-made with high-quality materials.
With Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee, your backpack is covered for life. Whether it’s a defect or damage, they’ll repair it at no cost, regardless of when you bought it. If repairs are not possible, they will replace it with an equivalent model.
Sustainability
Osprey’s strong commitment to sustainability is evident in their partnerships with organizations like the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) and the National Parks Foundation. They prioritize eco-friendly and recycled materials in their backpacks to reduce environmental impact. All the materials used to make this backpack are Bluesign-approved. Osprey also extends the life of their products through repair services, promoting durability and waste reduction. Their mission statement is “to create innovative high-performance gear that reflects our love of adventure and our devotion to the outdoors, as well as our commitment to preserving the environment for future generations”.
Conclusion
The Osprey Aether 65 has been designed to ensure comfort while carrying substantial loads. With its five pockets of varying sizes, a large main compartment, and included rain cover, this is a practical choice, perfectly suited for any hiking expedition.
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